"You have a story to tell.

It's clear in every word, too, that you know where you are going.

That makes people comfortable and inclined to go along with you." Hillyard turned with a smile.
"We haven't come to the water jump yet," he said.
Hardiman remained in the box during the second act.

He watched the stage for a while, took note of the laughter which welcomed this or that line, and of the silence which suddenly enclosed this or that scene from the rest of the play; and finally, with a certain surprise, and a certain amusement he fixed his attention upon the play's author.

The act ended in laughter and Hillyard leaned back, and himself laughed, without pose or affectation, as heartily as any one in the theatre.
"You beat me altogether, my young friend," said Hardiman.